Understanding Acne: Internal Triggers & Holistic Solutions!

Why Addressing What’s Happening Inside Is the Key to Clearer Skin

If you're doing all the “right” things for your skin — using good products, eating well, even taking supplements — and still breaking out, you're not alone.

Acne can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it persists despite your best efforts. What many people don’t realise is that breakouts are rarely just about what’s happening on the surface.

At Kollective Wellness, we approach acne as a whole-body issue — one that reflects what’s happening internally just as much as externally. From hormones to gut health, internal imbalances are often the missing link in long-term skin healing.

Here’s what you need to know about the internal drivers of acne, and how we support clearer skin from the inside out.

Why Acne Isn’t Just About Skincare

It’s easy to think of acne as a surface-level problem — blocked pores, oily skin, clogged follicles.

But breakouts are often symptoms of deeper imbalances within the body. And when those underlying issues aren’t addressed, topical treatments can only go so far.

True skin healing requires us to ask why the skin is reacting in the first place.

Let’s break down the most common internal triggers I see in clinic.

Hormonal Imbalances: The Most Common Driver

Hormones play a central role in regulating sebum (oil) production, inflammation, and skin cell turnover. When these hormones shift out of balance — especially androgens like testosterone — the skin often responds with congestion, cystic acne, or deep breakouts.

This is especially common in:

• The lead-up to your period

• Times of stress or poor sleep

• Post-pill transitions

• Conditions like PCOS or oestrogen dominance

You may also notice other signs like mood changes, tender breasts, or irregular cycles — all of which suggest deeper hormonal patterns at play.

Inflammation: The Body’s Alarm System

Inflammation is a necessary part of healing. But when it becomes chronic — due to poor diet, stress, or underlying conditions — it can wreak havoc on the skin.

Persistent redness, painful breakouts, or reactive skin may all be signs that your inflammatory load is too high.

Inflammation also makes skin more sensitive to bacteria, triggers post-acne pigmentation, and slows healing — meaning breakouts linger longer and recur more easily.

Gut Health: The Skin–Microbiome Connection

Your gut and skin are closely connected. An imbalanced gut microbiome or compromised intestinal lining (“leaky gut”) can lead to systemic inflammation, poor detoxification and immune dysfunction — all of which contribute to acne.

Some of the signs your gut may be involved:

• Bloating, constipation or irregular bowel movements

• Reactions to certain foods

• Skin flares that don’t improve despite clean eating

• A history of antibiotics, restrictive dieting, or chronic stress

In many cases, skin symptoms don’t resolve fully until the gut is addressed.

Nutrient Deficiencies: Missing the Building Blocks

Even with a healthy diet, nutrient depletion is common — especially in women who have been on the pill, experienced long-term stress, or follow restrictive diets.

The nutrients I most often see depleted in acne-prone clients include:

• Zinc – essential for oil regulation, wound healing and inflammation

• Vitamin A – supports skin cell turnover and barrier repair

• Essential fatty acids – calm inflammation and reduce skin sensitivity

• B vitamins – crucial for hormone regulation and detoxification

• Iron – necessary for oxygenation and tissue repair

Without these foundational nutrients, the skin doesn’t have what it needs to truly repair — no matter how good your skincare is.

Why Holistic Acne Treatment Starts From Within

The good news? When we address these internal drivers, the skin often begins to settle — without needing harsh topical treatments or ongoing prescriptions.

Here’s how we approach acne holistically at Kollective Wellness:

1. Nutrient Repletion and Blood Sugar Balance

We begin by ensuring your body has the nutritional foundation it needs to regulate hormones and calm inflammation. This often means:

• Eating a protein-rich breakfast within 60 minutes of waking

• Including healthy fats and fibre with each meal

• Avoiding long gaps between meals

• Reducing high-GI and ultra-processed foods that spike insulin

Small, consistent shifts in how you nourish your body create the internal safety your skin needs to start healing.

2. Stress and Nervous System Regulation

Chronic stress affects everything — from gut function to hormonal balance. It also keeps your body in a heightened inflammatory state, which shows up on the skin.

We often work on:

• Creating consistent routines and rest periods

• Regulating the nervous system through breathwork or somatic tools

• Supporting adrenal function with nutrition and herbal medicine

The goal isn’t to eliminate stress — it’s to help your body feel safe enough to shift out of survival mode.

3. Gut Support

Not every client needs a full gut protocol. But when we see signs of dysbiosis, inflammation or food sensitivities, we may use targeted gut support to reduce skin-reactive triggers.

This might include:

• Digestive bitters or enzymes

• Prebiotics and probiotics

• Anti-inflammatory herbs

• Stool testing, where appropriate

We always individualise this phase based on symptoms and testing — not just guesswork.

4. Hormone Testing and Support

If your breakouts are cyclical, jawline-predominant, or linked with irregular cycles or hair changes, we may look at hormone testing to get a clearer picture.

This allows us to support your body specifically — whether that’s with liver support, hormone-balancing herbs, or correcting nutrient deficiencies like B6 or magnesium.

We also focus on timing — testing hormones on the right days of your cycle to get the most accurate picture of what’s going on.

Why Personalised Support Makes All the Difference

There’s no one-size-fits-all acne protocol. What works for one person might not move the needle for another — especially if internal drivers are being missed.

In a 1:1 consultation, we explore:

• Your health history, stress load, and past treatments

• Current symptoms, cycles, and digestion

• Your bloodwork, hormone panels and dietary patterns

• The most supportive next steps for your skin

This is where real clarity comes from — and where we can build a plan that supports both your skin and your whole-body health.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

If your skin is still reactive and nothing topical is cutting it, it may be time to stop treating the surface and start listening to what your body’s trying to say.

Because your skin isn’t misbehaving — it’s communicating.

And when we start addressing those messages at the root, healing becomes possible.

Ready to get started?
Book a naturopathic consultation today and let’s uncover the internal causes of your acne — so your skin can finally settle, and your confidence can come back with it.